Ubiquitous Solar: Novel solar energy devices and systems costing less than $1/W

太阳能正在彻底改变我们在世界各地生产和分配能源的方式。这项研究将为快速发展的太阳能产业和太阳能需求培养必要的技术人员，促进有效的知识转移，填补现有和未来加拿大工业的就业需求。***拟议的研究将开发新的太阳能电池和系统设计，能够流1 - 50%效率的光伏（PV）电池（2/5预算）***在任何光伏系统中，太阳能电池效率提高10%通常会产生20%的投资回报，降低电力成本。实现高效率的最有效途径是采用多结太阳能电池结构。三种设计方法（晶圆键合，光谱分裂和机械堆叠）将评估其性能是否高于目前可用的最佳设备。有可能实际实现50%效率的选项将被原型化。***流2 -下一代聚光光伏系统（2/5预算）***聚光光学将大面积阳光聚焦到小型光伏电池上。我们将研究，设计和描述新的集中系统，该系统集成了流1的新型高效电池。我们将开发新的混合系统，包括常规平板电池，以补充在直接正常照明间歇性或持续低的地区或条件下的集中系统。这些设计提供的潜力，每年产生最高的能量每峰值功率的任何系统可用。***流3 -纳米电网集成光伏和存储（1/5预算）***纳米电网是小型管理本地系统（交流或直流），单独运行或简化与电网的连接。它们可以包括太阳能电池和本地存储（电池，电容器），以确保在停电或低日照期间持续备份。最大限度提高太阳能发电并网比例，优化光伏发电机组与电网和储能系统的对接。这将包括为通常需要电源适配器的电子设备（例如计算机）直接提供直流电源的选项。* * * * *

Solar power is revolutionizing the way we generate and distribute energy around the world. This research will develop the skilled personnel necessary for the rapidly expanding solar industry and demand for solar power, promoting effective knowledge transfer and filling employment needs of existing and future Canadian industry.***The proposed research will develop new solar cell and system designs capable of Stream 1 - 50% EFFICIENT PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) CELLS (2/5 budget)***In any PV system, a 10% increase in solar cell efficiency typically yields a 20% higher return on investment, reducing the cost of electricity. The most effective path to high efficiencies is with a multi-junction solar cell structure. Three design approaches (wafer bonding, spectral splitting, and mechanical stacking) will be evaluated for performance higher than the best devices presently available. Options with the potential to realistically achieve 50% efficiency will be prototyped.***Stream 2 - NEXT GENERATION CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS (2/5 budget)***Concentrator optics focus large areas of sunlight onto small PV cells. We will study, design and characterise new concentrator systems which integrate the novel higher efficiency cells of Stream 1. We will develop new hybrid systems incorporating regular flat panel cells to complement the concentrated system in regions or conditions where direct normal illumination is intermittent or consistently low. These designs offer the potential to yield the highest yearly energy per peak-power of any system available.***Stream 3 - NANOGRIDS INTEGRATING PHOTOVOLTAICS AND STORAGE (1/5 budget)***Nanogrids are small managed local systems (AC or DC) that operate separately or simplify connection to the grid. They can include solar cells and local storage (batteries,  capacitors) to ensure continuous back-up during power cuts or low-sunlight periods. We will maximize the proportion of solar power possible on the grid, optimizing the PV units to work smoothly with the grid and storage systems. This will include options for direct DC supply to electronics (e.g., computers) that normally require power adapters.*** **